Rich Piana: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Professional bobybuilder Rich Piana during the Q&A session at the premiere of ‘Generation Iron 2’ at National Exhibition Centre

Pro bodybuilding superstar Rich Piana has been placed in a medically induced coma, after collapsing in his Florida home Monday afternoon.

Piana, 46, lost consciousness and hit his head as he fell, according to Daily Mail. His partner, phoned 911 and reported that the former Mr. California had suffered a possible overdose, according to law enforcement officers.

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Here’s what you need to know about Piana:

1. Piana Was Placed in a Medically Induced Coma & Is Still Fighting For His Life

Professional bodybuilder Rich Piana with Executive producer Ollie Upton as he arrives to attend the premiere of ‘Generation Iron 2’

After Piana’s fall, his partner, Chanel Jansen, phoned 911 and reported he had suffered a possible overdose.

When medics arrived, Piana was unresponsive and was transported to a nearby hospital where he was placed into a medically induced coma, according to TMZ.

According to TMZ, Jansen administered CPR to Piana until help arrived. Jansen also released a statement, putting and end to rumors that Piana had died from his injuries.

“I just want to be clear [Piana] is STILL ALIVE,” said Chanel. “All myself and his family are asking for is POSITIVE thoughts, prayers, and love. PLEASE i’m BEGGING you all to have some respect and realize how EXTREMELY difficult this is for us. Thank you to all of you staying positive and sending well wishes, prayers, and love.”

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2. Piana Is a Former Mr. California

Piana won Mr. California in 1998. He won the overall with a perfect score.

Piana also place first in the Sacramento Pro and the Border States Classic XXX Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships in 2009. He took 11th at the NPC USA Championships in 2003 and 7th in 1999. He has a record bench press of 495 lbs.( 3 reps) and record squat of 585 lbs. (2 reps).

After his competitive days were over, Piana started investing his time in business and acting. Piana started several businesses including a clothing line company, supplement company and a food prep delivery company.

Piana cites his mother and Bill Cambra as influences.

“All those monsters at Golds Gym when I was 6-years-old,” said Piana. ” Bill Cambra was the biggest influence and we are still in touch to this day!”

3. Piana Has a Huge Social Media Following

Piana, who posts many pictures of himself training and pictures with his girlfriend, has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram. He also has nearly 1.2 million followers on his Facebook page.

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In addition to the pictures, Piana posts advertisements for his 5% Nutrition products. The mission statement for 5% Nutrition reads as follows:

The 5% Nutrition mission is to provide the best possible supplements for the best possible results to help you be the best possible version of you. Leading ingredients backed by research combined with high end quality, formulated and manufactured in a cutting-edge, technologically advanced facility.

4. Piana’s Girlfriend Is a Fitness Model

Jansen also spent time in Las Vegas as a blackjack dealer on the strip. While she doesn’t have quite the following that Piana has, she has built a large following on her Instagram account as well.

Jansen has her own YouTube channel where she shares videos called “Our Travels,” which highlight vacations that she and Piana spent together.

Jansen’s and Piana’s most recent travel video:

Piana was previously married to Sara Heimis. The two decided to split up after nearly one year of marriage. Piana released a video accusing Heimis of marrying him so she could obtain a green card, according to Inquisitr.

5. Piana Admitted to Taking Steroids Since He Was a Teen

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Piana, whose mother was a body-builder in Los Angeles, California, got introduced to the world of weightlifting when he was just 11-years-old, after going to the gym to watch her train, according to Daily Mail. He began weightlifting shortly after, and competed for the first time at age 15.

After a few unsuccessful competitions, Piana turned to steroids to help him bulk up at around age 18.

In one of his training videos, Piana explained his choice, saying, “If you have the choice to steroids or stay natural, stay natural stay natural. There’s no reason to do steroids, you’re only hurting your body and hurting yourself. But if you want to become a professional bodybuilder, guess what? You’re probably going to have to f**cking do them, you’re not going to have a choice. That’s the boat I was in.”

“I was competing on stage and I was getting to the point where I was getting blown off stage if I wasn’t going to do steroids, so I took that step.”

Piana estimates that he was spending $2,500 on growth hormone per month, without even taking steroids into account, according to Daily Mail.